Dominātus Reforms

"The law speaks too softly to be heard amidst the din of arms"

- Gaius Marius The Parellel Lives, Plutarch

In the following days after his declaration, Julius went on to do what he does best, research. He looked into the legislative and military history of this "Neo Roma". Noticing some major differences when compared to "Old Rome", he notes down the historical discrepancies. 

First and foremost, the presence of magic. Certainly lacking from his old world, the existence of magic has had heavy implications on steering the course of human civilization. In his research, Julius has found that while humanity in general has some potential to use magic, most humans have little to no mana, and thus can barely even sense their "mana". This mana is what determines one's capability to do or practice magic, it is generally believed that the older something is, the more mana they would have at their disposal. Having relatively low life spans, the mana that a human could gather would then be much lower when compared to the other races. Elves and Dwarves for example have lifespans far surpassing that of humans. Another factor is that humans don't have the inherent ability to sense mana, as such, the average human can go through their entire lives without knowing they had mana in the first place, let alone properly use it. There are always some exceptions however, a handful of human "Magus" were recorded to have existed in the past. 

"I see, if this "magic" is anything similar to the ideas present back on earth, then this would have major implications regarding the development of any civilized society."

"More importantly, if that was the case, magic would have definitely been used in war..."

Magic has many applications, ranging from agriculture to warfare. If one can imagine something, magic can achieve it. 

This would then lead to a hierarchy of potential power, were long lived races are at the top, and humans are near the bottom. On an equal playing field, with similar numbers, a clash between a human army and any long lived race would be extremely one sided. 

Moving on, another issue that Julius found was that instead of having expansionist policies, Neo Roma is more economically focused. The reason for this being the long string of military losses, seemingly caused by the influence of a foreign party. One way or another, the cities that Neo Roma planned to conquer received help either economically or militarily. As time went on, expansionism became less and less favored in the eyes of the senate, as the more they lost, the higher each loss costed, be it in the form of war reparations, ransoms, or rebuilding projects. The city and its people had no choice but to transition into a more trade and economically focused policies for survival. This change heavily affected the would be advancements in military policies from Old Rome. 

"This explains why triarii were present during the riot, Rome still uses the maniple system..."

Lastly, as it was evident from what he has already seen in person. Julius notes on the severe corruption of the city's governing body, the senate. The archives states that for the past 15 years, over 50% of any and all funds have been reported as missing. This in turn resulted in the heavy decline of Rome's citizens, infrastructure, and, ironically enough, its economy. As it stands right now, no consistent trade route will ever be established. It is simply far to much of a risk to trade with a heavily degrading city, and so, external trade from neighboring cities and nation states have almost completely stopped. There is so much risk for so little reward, in other words, Rome has completely lost its image and reputation in the eyes of the world. 

"Such a vile and unfortunate domino effect..."

Julius thought to himself, convinced that Rome as of right now is an outcast among outcasts. A city, populated with purely humans, rotting behind its walls. A husk of what they could be, with no drive and no proper reason to fight again. Living within squaller, as only those who already had money could have the opportunity to make money. All those who have been born in the lower class have no choice but to beg and rely on the scarce rations the city oh so graciously provides them.

He scoffed at this reality, Julius chuckled at the idea that so much potential has been lost over the 15 years the city has suffered a cancer. At one point he was completely powerless to do anything, but now, now that he is dictator of Rome. He planned to weaponize this hopelessness to fuel the great war engine that he envisioned in his mind.

Julius then screams out emphatically to his lictors guarding outside.

"Call upon Marcus Antonius! and tell him to have the senate gather."

On the day after, the senate gathered at the curia in short notice. Disgruntled and bothered, many of the members can't help but voice out their displeasure to this sudden call.

"This boy! has the power already gotten to his head?!"

"Who does he think he is? for a sacrificial figure head, he sure is making a show before his demise."

An annoyed but relaxed voice echoed out from behind the complaining men.

"Oh hush now, we did make him dictator. Let the child play around in the dirt all he wants."

It was Quintus, clearly still revelling on the success of his plan.

But it was not just the followers of Quintus who were outraged, even those under Crassus expressed their discontent.

"Has he no decorum?"

"It seems that respect is not always given back..."

Their eyes gazing towards Crassus, attempting to gauge and find out what his reaction was to the sudden call. His face showed no signs of anger and no signs joy, displayed there was simply the face of man who was inquisitive, his eyes watching the entrance of the curia, awaiting the arrival of the dictator.

It was then that the doors open, revealing the entourage of Julius and his lictors, with Mark Anthony leading the way

Mark declared.

"Dictator Julius has arrived!"

In response, Crassus acknowledged his presence by shouting.

"We honor you dictator!" 

As he raised his hand demanding silence, his followers quickly abided, while the rest begrudgingly follow. Quintus, not really caring much, did nothing and said nothing. This time, he had no agenda, so he did not bother to act.

Julius then opened up his speech.

"Members of the senate, days ago, I promised to the people of Roma, that I will bring them the embers they needed to forge a great fire..."

The members stay silent, eager to listen to the words of the man they considered to be dead.

"Thus I have gathered you all here today to inform you that this promise is already being fulfilled as we speak..."

Julius's words ushered a reaction from the audience, the were perplexed to say the least.

"Earlier today I made a public decree, the "Dominātus Reforms" have been enacted, which states that, any and all who wish to enlist, can enlist, in the professional standing army of Roma, the Legion..."

It was like nails on a chalkboard, the screeching laughter of Quintus breaks the silence.

"Ha ha ha HAH! professional standing army?! HA HA HA HA!"

"By the Gods! he already made the decree public?! HA HA HA HA!"

"No one will join lord dictator! HA HA HA!"

While his antics came off as annoying to most, none of them could deny that his words held clear truths. The absurdity of Julius's statement hasn't settled in yet, "Earlier today? He already made the decree?", they all asked themselves.

Ignoring Quintus's snide remark, Julius continued...

"Members of the legion are expected to undergo training expected of that from a soldier, in return, your equipment, food, and housing shall be provided to you by the state. Those who have undergone a minimum of 4 weeks of training shall be entitled to a weekly pay there on after."

This announcement created uproar across the senate.

"Provided by the state? out of whose pockets do you expect to get that money from huh?!"

"You think too highly of yourself boy! such arrogance is unacceptable!"

Members from both sides scream in protest against the dictator. Outraged they feel as if they have just been robbed in broad daylight. The once cackling Quintus found the smile on his face quickly disappear as the implications suddenly settled in. He couldn't do anything about it, nobody could in that room could do anything about it, not him, not Crassus.

Julius was the dictator chosen by the senate and supported by the people. If any of them were to go against his status as dictator, not only will they have to face the lictor's and their maniples, but also the might of city's people.

In the chaos, Julius simply left the curia along with his lictors. Quintus did not know how to react, he frantically looked around for Crassus's reaction, he thought that surely...surely he must be outraged right?

He was wrong, plastered all over Crassus's face, was the biggest grin he has ever seen him make.

Quintus felt fear for the first time in a while...